The Other Side of Truth

Set during the Autumn of 1995 in the aftermath of Ken Saro-Wiwa's execution in Nigeria for alleged political crimes, Beverley Naidoo's frighteningly topical novel is a reminder about just how good children's teenage fiction can sometimes be. Tackling multiple themes--most importantly injustice, the right to freedom of speech, the complexities of political asylum, bullying and, ultimately, the strength of the family--The Other Side of Truth is a gripping story that undoubtedly deserves its widespread acclaim and success.

In turn, the narrative lunges from tragedy in the opening scene, to excitement as the young lead characters begin their bid for freedom, then to frustration as the seemingly safe haven of Britain turns out to be anything but.

Sade and her brother Femi are the children of an outspoken Nigerian journalist. When an assassination attempt on their father's life leaves their mother slain instead, their world is understandably turned upside down. The family must flee the country to survive. Sade and Femi are sent on ahead, escaping the country undercover as the children of a shady Nigerian woman called Mrs Bankhole. She unscrupulously abandons them in London and their only contact in this big, strange and alien capital city is their uncle--but he too is missing. With nowhere to go and nobody to turn to, they are soon swept up by the British legal system and Sade and Femi begin to wonder if they are any better off when they become the victims of bullying in their new, albeit temporary school.

A Silver Award winner in the 2000 Nestlé Smarties Awards, Naidoo's book is in many ways more than just a story. The author was born in South Africa and has written about that continent and discrimination before in a number of acclaimed books including Journey to Jo'burg and No Turning Back. She knew firsthand of the shocking situation in Nigeria in the mid-1990s through friends who were hopeful of a move towards democracy. She wanted to write about the effect of such politics on children and also, by setting a lot of the story in England, to draw attention to the fact that issues such as neglect of human rights and injustice are local issues too.

The book has a powerful tale to tell, tinged with enough echoes of truth to make it a compelling yet uncomfortable experience. (Age 12 and over) --John McLay

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Rubbish when a techer keeps going on - Rated
I would have probably thought the book was remotely good if the techer would shut up about it. instead we have been talking about it for ages and writing reviews. i dont like the book now because of the teacher. if we could do other stuff as well my english lessons would be a bit etter and i would learn something
Thanks
Milo
If somthin like this has happened to you please email me: milohill@hotmail.com

Absolutely superb! - Rated
When Sade and Femi's mother is killed by gunmen, they have to flee to London, England and escape from more terrible fates. Sade and Femi's father meanwhile has to find his own route to England...

A brilliant and exciting read - Rated
I really enjoyed The Other Side of Truth because it was a seat-gripping nail-biting story. It has a sad beginning but don't let it stop you reading the book. Two children called Sade and Femi have to leave Nigeria and come to London by themselves and they face many problems. I think this is a great book for anybody over the age of 9 years to read - my Mum really enjoyed it too.

Appalling sentence-structure spoils an excellent novel - Rated
I offer a challenge to supporters of this book: open it at random, pick a paragraph that contains no dialogue and try to justify the way the sentences are divided, either in terms of rhythm or in terms of sense. If you try, you will see that Ms Naidoo has taken the rule that children's books should have only short sentences to an absurd extreme. Many of what are punctuated as complete sentences are merely clauses, often without a verb, which a more literate writer would have incorporated as part of a full sentence. A bare minimum of 2 out of every 3 full stops are unnecessary and damage the effect of what is otherwise an excellent novel.

The Other Side Of Truth review - Rated
I enjoyed this book so much because from the first page it grips you and it is so sad. This book is all about a girl and a boy (brother and sister) who were sent to england for their own saftey because their farther is a journalist and some people are out for him. Their mother was shot accidently in their front garden and that was why they were sent to England. But when they reach england the woman that was suposed to take them to their uncle left them in a cafe. so they were in a strange country with no idea were they are or were there going to go.

I think this book is really up to date with what goes on in other countries and why people migrate to different countries.